Restored Steinway or used??

[millus]

Hi, I recently tried 2 different Steinway pianos. The first was a 1919 fully restored Steinway model O. The restoration covers the keys, the action to renner, new glue to the soundboard( soundboard still original), new strings and new black polish. The 2nd piano I tried was a Steinway model M, from 1971. This one has only 1 owner. everything in the piano is still original Steinway. Both are Hamburg Steinways, and both sounded great! I was actually surprised by the M's rich bass. The restored O looked like new and had very sweet treble with bright and tinkling sound towards the
last octave.
The dilemma arises when both are offered at the same price (different shops in different cities). Although some will say it's a no brainer, get the original M, but I read somewhere that Steinways built before 1930 are the best and the wood used for the soundboard actually mature with time!

I would like to get your opinion in this forum. I am in Europe.

Cheers

[pbryld]

I would have thought getting the O was a no-brainer if it was restored recently.

[quantum]

Which one do you like better?  Seeing as they are the same price, I would be more inclined to go with the one that speaks to you.  

I would actually be leaning more towards the O as opposed to the M.  But that is a personal choice.  Model M is not on my list of choice for Steinway pianos.  

[jimbo320]

I'd go for the restored O. As you said about the older having better wood is correct IMHO. And being recently restored is the no-brainer part...

[keys60]

O

[millus]

Hey thanks  for the opinions. Yes the O was restored recently by Steinway trained technician(that's what the seller told me), not by Steinway restoration centre.

[a_bernhard]

This is a very good question. Have an independent technician look at both pianos because a buyer can tell you whatever they want. Just because a technician has been trained by Steinway it doesn't mean that they are qualified to rebuild. Steinway trains in maintenance of pianos, not rebuilding. A full restoration involves replacing the soundboard not just applying glue to cracks. Obviously the sound and touch of the piano is what you are judging from and it sounds like you liked the M better. I actually owned a 1972 M with all original parts and my only complaint was that the bass was not as nice as a new model O. The idea that Steinways built before 1930 are better is simply not true and based on no fact. Wood does change over time but that is not necessarily for the better. It's not like wine! Go with the piano that a technician considers to be in the best condition but don't be fooled into thinking that just because parts were replaced, the parts used are equivalent to genuine Steinway parts! Also just because the O looks good doesnt mean it is good... that's purely psychological. How much are they asking for these pianos? i would immagine Mid to low 20s?

[arensky]

Steinway's recent elimination and renewal of several of their models should give you a clue as to what the better model is. The O and A are being manufactured again ( in Europe they may never have been halted) in lieu of the M and L, respectively. My preference would be for the O, but at the end of the day you should buy the individual instrument that you prefer.

[pianoplayjl]

Go towards the one you like best and suit your pieces. I like the one with rich sounding bass.

[pianolive]

I am quite sure that the M is from NY. They did not make those in Hamburg.

It is not possible for anyone here to judge about how the rebuilding is done or how the pianos are compaired to each other.
You could bring your own tech too to check the pianos, but then in the end go for the piano that you like the best!

[a_bernhard]

Not really sure what arensky is referring to but the model M has been manufactured since 1915 and is still manufactured today. The model O simply replaced the model L because the designs were so close there was no reason to have both models. Regarding rebuilding, as soon as non-steinway parts are placed in a Steinway, it ceases to be a Steinway. The exception to this of course is in a Hamburg Steinway where Renner manufactures the action from Steinway's proprietary design. Steinway has millions of dollars worth of equipment and decades of experience that goes into things like cutting and fitting the soundboard to exact specifications for each piano on an individual basis. Regarding whatever rebuilding work has been done on this Model O, the biggest red flag would be glue applied to the soundboard. I would assume that is to repair cracks. Cracks in a soundboard themselves are not the death sentence that many believe it to be but presents the underlying question of what kind of environment this piano has been in during its history and therefore what is the condition of , for example, the pinblock? At the very least, do yourself a favor and have it checked by a technician.

[millus]

Hey, very useful advise. Thanks for your time. I went back to try the O again, really loved it more and more. The pin block and frame did not change, sccording to him it's not touched( comes in 1 piece??). He said if those and soundboard are changed, then its no more a steinway. The glue was  changed to modern glue as the old glue used was not affective on the soundboard anymore. ( seems its a 2 piece thats glued together??)Did a quick check with a reputable piano technician recommended by a friend, asked him about the company and got a positive reply about their business. Its a reputable piano dealer in this part of the country ( i am in the Netherlands). Did not engage him for full technical check though. the price is EUR22-25k with a trade in of my 1986kawai  grand KG3D....the same will be for the 1971 M..